Henrietta sent to Norfolk for facelift in advance of 25th birthday

The Henrietta III, usually a fixture along the Wilmington riverfront, is in Norfolk, Va., for some maintenance and repair work. The vessel is expected to return to the Port City in a few weeks.
Courtesy: Cape Fear Riverboats

Published: Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 4:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 4:37 p.m.

A lovely lady has left town for a $100,000 facelift. And she's not afraid to admit it.

The Henrietta III, a riverboat normally docked on the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, has been moved to a dry dock in Norfolk, Va., to undergo some general maintenance and repair work.

She left Jan. 28 for a week-long journey up the Intracoastal Waterway to Colonna's Shipyard, where regular five-year maintenance will be done to her hull. The Henrietta was pulled out of the water by the world's largest crane, according to Helen Ward, vice president of Cape Fear Riverboats, which owns the vessel. Posts on the Henrietta III's Facebook page show the 385-ton riverboat being moved to a dry dock by the massive traveling lift.

One post on the Facebook page says Wilmington misses her, but fans of the riverboat cruises will be happy again next month when she is scheduled to return. After repairs and painting are finished, Capt. Carl Marshburn will navigate her back to Wilmington.

In the meantime, the Coast Guard has performed a hull exam, and repairs and cleaning are being done in the coming weeks. Ward said similar work was done five years ago in Charleston, S.C., but the Henrietta III was sent to Norfolk this year because the Charleston shipyard was booked.

When the Henrietta III returns next month, she will be prepped and ready for her 25th year cruising Wilmington's waterfront.

Capt. Marshburn plans a celebration for the anniversary but final details have yet to be announced.

<p>A lovely lady has left town for a $100,000 facelift. And she's not afraid to admit it. </p><p>The Henrietta III, a riverboat normally docked on the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic91"><b>Cape Fear River</b></a> in downtown Wilmington, has been moved to a dry dock in Norfolk, Va., to undergo some general maintenance and repair work.</p><p>She left Jan. 28 for a week-long journey up the Intracoastal Waterway to Colonna's Shipyard, where regular five-year maintenance will be done to her hull. The Henrietta was pulled out of the water by the world's largest crane, according to Helen Ward, vice president of Cape Fear Riverboats, which owns the vessel. Posts on the Henrietta III's <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/facebook"><b>Facebook</b></a> page show the 385-ton riverboat being moved to a dry dock by the massive traveling lift.</p><p>One post on the Facebook page says Wilmington misses her, but fans of the riverboat cruises will be happy again next month when she is scheduled to return. After repairs and painting are finished, Capt. Carl Marshburn will navigate her back to Wilmington.</p><p>In the meantime, the Coast Guard has performed a hull exam, and repairs and cleaning are being done in the coming weeks. Ward said similar work was done five years ago in Charleston, S.C., but the Henrietta III was sent to Norfolk this year because the Charleston shipyard was booked.</p><p>When the Henrietta III returns next month, she will be prepped and ready for her 25th year cruising Wilmington's waterfront.</p><p>Capt. Marshburn plans a celebration for the anniversary but final details have yet to be announced.</p><p>Metro desk: 343-2384</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsOnline</p>